Outstanding Universal Value - Evaluation of Historical and Cultural Heritage : Evolution of its definition
Abstract
The World Heritage Convention as adopted in 1972 , represented a new departure for the first time combined protection of objects judged to have exceptional natural and cultural assets for humankind. Subsequently, a Committee for the Protection of the World UNESCO Heritage ( World Heritage Committee) , who formulated the criteria according to which the national nominations should be evaluated and finally registered on the World Heritage List , compiled rules for the application of the World Heritage Convention , including the monitoring and recording of their status in the documentation of UNESCO ( World Heritage list).
In this context the selection criteria which express the qualities of the object were formulated. The nominee has to represent the outstanding universal value.
This selection criteria has become a concept that has evolved over the years. Valid to this day and still evolving.
It would not be proper to link the formulation of ideas about what is cultural heritage, and its perception of supra- and transnational values only to UNESCO World Heritage. The development of ideas about cultural heritage has much deeper roots than the adoption of the Convention.
Global validity and application of the List are reflected in the development of evaluation criteria of monuments, especially of the concepts of autentiticity , and integrity to make them understandable and applicable to all areas of civilization , and their understanding of monuments and cultural heritage .